Saturday, November 29, 2014

Sketch Saturday DT application

If you are looking for my DT post for MTTC #269 - click here
If  you are looking for my Kraftin Kimmie Guest DT post - click here

Hello friends and happy weekend to each of you!
I've recently started playing along with the challenges 
I LOVE to use sketches when making my cards.  
In fact, I will often search for a sketch
before I look for a theme to fit an image that I want to use. 
Just helps me put a framework around my ideas.

I noticed that there is a DT call going on 
at Sketch Saturday and would really like 
to throw my hat in the ring.  
To apply I need to:
* tell you about myself and my experience
My name is Danielle Vincent
I live in Helena, Montana (USA)
(email address has been sent to Nikki)

I've been paper crafting for many years and 
started blogging my cards here about three years ago.
I am currently a designer for the following challenges
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (since 2011)
My Time to Craft Challenges (since June 2014).

I have also belonged to these DTs over the past 3 years
Addicted to Stamps and More! (2 years)
All Beautiful Cards "ABC" (1 year)
Deedee's Digis (6 months)
and been fortunate to be a guest designer on a couple others
Catch the Bug Challenges (May 2014)
Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog (September 2014).

I'd like to be on the Sketch Saturday team because
I LOVE to use sketches (oh, I said that already :o) ).
And because I really like the different crafting styles of each of
the current DT members and would like to be part of their crafty team
ohhhh AND there are terrific sketches offered each week :o).  
Last but not least...creating cards and sharing them with the wonderful 
on-line crafty community is my therapy from an often stressful occupation.

*now I will show 3 samples of my best work:







Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me - wish me luck please :o)
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D



Merry Christmas - Kraftin' Kimmie Krafty Guest Designer Call

Hello friends - another post for this chilly Saturday morning.
I woke up this morning about 7AM and it was 10 degrees outside.
About an hour ago we started getting sleet and snow and
now the temp (without the wind chill) is below zero
 BRRRRR.......
I promised my daughter that we would go have lunch, 
do a little Christmas shopping and get a tree
to decorate this evening.
Guess I'd better suck it up and bundle up - LOL!

Before I go brave the cold and the crowds I have a
Christmas card to share with you that I made to enter
in the Kraftin' Kimmie Krafty Guest Designer Call - take a look:
card front - stamp by Krafin' Kimmie

and opened into an easel card

A while back I was fortunate enough to receive
some of Loll's card candy (the poinsettias
and flourishes).  I found them in a bin
of forgotten treasures and knew immediately 
that I wanted to use them.  Aren't they fabulous?

The finished size of this card is 5 3/4" square.
It will need to be hand delivered as it will cost
me a small fortune to mail - lol.

In September I had the honor to be a
Krafty Guest Designer for Kraftin' Kimmie.
I only had a couple stamps but I loved so many
of them that I thought I'd give it a try.
Now I'd describe myself as a bit of an KK stamp addict.
So....here's hoping I get another shot at being a guest designer :o)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie Wonderful Wednesday Challenges (Nov)
Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
The Corrosive Challenges #213 - Happy Everything (any holiday)
Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C264 - Squares
Kit and Clowder - November Challenge "Christmas"
Creative Card Crew #75 - Stripes
4 Crafty Chicks #222 - Die Cuts
Just Us Girls #269 - Wild Card Week "Anything Goes"


That's it for me for now - thanks so much for stopping by today
Wish me luck with the chilly shopping day :o)
Til next time....hugs and merry crafting! D

MTTC#269 - Snowman

Hello again dear friends and followers.
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?
I will be doing some of mine today.
Not looking forward to the crowds
but am looking forward to enjoying some
time with my sweet daughter.

It's time for another weekly challenge at 
My Time to Craft Challenges (MTTC).
This week's theme works really well
with both the cold snowy weather we are getting
and the upcoming Christmas holiday.
MTTC #269 is Snowman (or men)
or Snow ladies if you prefer :o)

Here's my DT card:

This is a bit larger than I usually make.
Finished size is 6 x 6. 
Funny story... it didn't start out being
nearly that big but after I got all my 
patterned papers glued down I went to
open the card to decorate the inside 
only to discover that I had glued everything 
on the card base upside down.  
Oh for pity sake!!
Have you every done that?
So... I had to cut it apart at the seam
and then add that piece to another base. 
It's a good solid (heavy) card 
that will probably cost me a fortune to mail
LOL!!

I am entering this card in the following challenges;
Brown Sugar Challenges #122 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz - Friday Coloring challenge - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge #278 - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #85 - Anything Goes
Simply Create Too #75 - Snow
Penny's Paper-Crafting Challenges #205 - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Challenge  PWC338- Snow Much Fun
Sketch Saturday - Pick a Previous (I used #337)

Please go visit the rest of the lovely ladies
on the MTTC DT and see their gorgeous Snowman 
creations this week as well.  Hope to see
your Snowman creation in the gallery too.

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Friday, November 28, 2014

52CCT - Pick a Previous Sketch

Hello dear friends and followers!
I went to work today after eating so much food on Thanksgiving 
that I still felt like I was in a bit of a turkey induced stupor. 
Why or why do we do that to ourselves?
I guess I shouldn't say "we" and really 
own up to the fact that it's probably just me.
Must be those stretchy pants I wear 
makes me think I can eat much more 
than I really should.  
That saying "Gobble til you Wobble"
definitely fit me yesterday :o)

Well since it is the very last Saturday of November 
we have the Pick a Previous challenge 
for you.  This time we'd like you to 
Pick A Previous Sketch

You can use any past sketch to make your
lovely Christmas card.  There is a tab at the 
top of the challenge blog with all the previous sketches
for you to choose from.  
Pick any one that catches your creative fancy, 
and just let us know which one you used.

For my DT card I used a sketch from April 2014

Here's my card:

This one will be easy to mail as I left
it free of all embellishments (gasp!).
I kind of like the simple look of it.
Hope you do too.

Please go check out the beautiful
creations made by my lovely DT pals 
at 52CCT this week.  I hope  you are
so inspired that you just have to go
make a card and join the challenge.

Next month we will have a special sponsor for
our December challenges.  Make sure you check back 
then too to see who it is and hopefully join the fun.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #123 Holiday

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me.
Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

Saturday, November 22, 2014

MTTC #268 - Time and/or Space

Greeting Earthlings!
Does that greeting give you any clues as to what
the challenge this week is at My Time to Craft?
MTTC#268 is TIME AND/OR SPACE.

We want you to create something with a time theme
or image such as clocks or a timeline, or a space
theme with images such as spaceships or aliens,
or planets...get the idea?

Here's my take on this challenge using "Space"
and an adorable little green alien:
Digital image by Bugaboo Digis

Can you see the sparkle on the orange planet ring
and stars?  I used Stickles glitter glue - LOVE that stuff :o)

My fabby DT pals at MTTC have also made some
wonderful and crafty creations to inspire you.
Please go visit them too and say "hi".
We'd love to see your entry in our gallery this week
depicting TIME AND/OR SPACE.

I'd like to also enter my card in the following challenges:
Freshly Made Sketches 163 (see below)

Creative Knockouts #64 - Bling is the Thing - Crafty Sentiments
Brown Sugar Challenges #121 - Use 2 or more Colors

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today -
I'm sure glad that you did.
Hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Friday, November 21, 2014

52CCT - November Technique Challenge - Paper Piercing

Hello sweet friends and followers,
I'm happy you're here today to visit me.

It's time for another weekly challenge
at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown
it's the last one of November
and it's a technique challenge

Here's my DT card for this challenge:
Stamp and sentiment from "Ugly Sweaters" by Your Next Stamp

My piercing is around the red portion of the circle
(unfortunately it doesn't show up really well in the photo).

I did a little masking so the sweater sleeves
are overlapping each other a bit.
I drew a circle around the inside of the
first circle die so I could see where the
sleeves should extend beyond the edge of the circle.
Then I cut just those parts with my scissors and
put the circle die back on with the sleeves on
the outside of the frame and ran it through my Big Shot
to get the circle shape that the sweaters are on.
Next time I'll try a little smaller sweater
(now that I know how to do it).

I hope that  you will go check out the creations by
the rest of the talented team at 52CCT
and then decide to join us this week too.
Grab that piercing tool and get to poking!

I'd also like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Your Next Stamp Challenge #2 Sketch or Color (I used the Sketch)
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for November - AG
Love to Create Challenge #142 - Make it For Christmas
Penny's Paper-Crafting Challenge #204 - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - Let's Get Sentimental
Stamping Sensations November Challenge - Christmas
Creative Knockouts #64 - Bling is the Thing - Crafty Sentiments

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello friends and happy Friday!!
I'm looking forward to the weekend for sure.
I plan to do some shopping so I have food
for our Thanksgiving.  
I'm hoping that I  haven't waited too long
and there are still some smaller turkeys 
available.  The last time I waited this
long I had to buy a very large bird.
Suffice it to say that we had LOTS of 
left overs and we wanted ham the next year :o)

But...before I can get to the weekend  
I need to get myself off to work - so I best 
get on with this post and out the door.

I colored this darling image over a week ago 
but finally got my card finished last night
take a look please:
Stamp "Merry" by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps

I'm pretty sure this stamp was intended to be
a Christmas stamp (her name is Merry and she
comes with a Christmas sentiment) but with the big 
turkey in the pan I decided to make it into 
a Thanksgiving card.  

Really looking forward to time with family
and some delicious food.
Our Thanksgiving tradition is to serve
scalloped oysters with the turkey - yum!
What's yours?

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Kraftin Kimmie  Saturday Challenge "Anything Goes"
Addicted to Stamps and More! #122 - Make Your Mark
Come and Get it Challenges - Thanksgiving Traditions


Updated to also add: Simon Say's Wednesday Challenges - Thanks/Thanksgiving

As I said...got to get myself to work (no rest for the wicked).
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!
Happy Thanksgiving wishes.
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting!D

Saturday, November 15, 2014

MTTC #267 - Christmas Decoupage

Hello sweet friends and followers, so happy you're here to visit.
Time for another weekly challenge over at My Time to Craft (MTTC)
MTTC #267 is Christmas Decoupage.
It can be traditional or stamped decoupage.

If you're like me you just said "what the heck is that?".
I had only heard of the version where you glue
paper onto wood with a glossy finish over the top
(that was ages ago when I was a little girl).
Here's a definition of this process that I found:

Decoupage—from the French word découper, meaning to cut out—
is a craft or art form that entails pasting cut-outs (typically paper) to an object 
and then covering with several coats of lacquer or varnish.  
The process gives flat cut-outs the appearance of depth. 

I really wasn't sure how that would work with card making.
But as luck would have it, I was perusing through
a local craft store last weekend and came upon
a Papercrafting magazine that was offering a free decoupage
set and flocking with purchase.  Score!!
It even had instruction as to how to layer the paper images.
Happy dancing - that was me :o)

So...here's what I made using one of the freebie decoupage images
for my DT card for MTTC 267 - Christmas Decoupage

It was really kind of fun to do! There are 5 different layers on this image -
that last one being the arm that is holding the package.
Can you see the spots of flocking that I added as well?
All kinds of new stuff going on here for me :o)

If you haven't tried this technique yet it would be a great
opportunity to do so and enter the challenge at MTTC.
My lovely and talented DT pals have made some really
gorgeous Christmas decoupage creations to share with you
as well. Please go visit them and be inspired!

I am entering the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge #120- Anything Goes
(3 or more layers, 2 designer papers, 1 image)
Love to Create Challenges #141 "Anything Goes"
Jingle Belles - The Great Outdoors

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. 
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Friday, November 14, 2014

52CCT - November Theme Challenge "Christmas Window"

Hello and happy weekend! 
We've had several cold days in a row here
which makes me want to just cuddle up and eat comfort food.
I'm planning to make a big batch of lasagna
this weekend to enjoy with my favorite wine.
I might even watch a movie and just completely "chill"
Ha haha - did you get my play on words?
Doesn't that sound heavenly?

So enough about that...how about a
look at my DT card for the challenge
this week for 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT).
52CCT November Theme Challenge is "Christmas Window"
and here's my card:

I kept the style clean with minimal embellishments so that 
the brick embossing would stand out behind this 
super cute Santa peeking through the window. 
I wonder...does he come through the window
when there is no chimney?  

I am entering this card in the following great challenges:
Stamping Sensations - November challenge - Simply Christmas
Crafty Catz Challenge #255 - Christmas is Coming
Christmas Cards All Year Round - November - No patterned paper
Alphabet Challenge Blog - T for Traditional Christmas
Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #121 - Anything Goes

Did you notice that we are having a DT call over 
at 52CCT?  We are looking for several Christmas 
card crafters to join the team.  
It's a great way to keep Christmas in your heart 
all year and have a nice stash of Christmas cards
to send out by November.
If you are interested please see the details on the 52CCT blog.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit today.
Please go visit the rest of the lovely ladies at 52CCT 
and then link up your own Christmas window card. 
Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

CAS Cutie

Oh hello friends and happy Friday!!
I am looking forward to a weekend of crafting...
or at least some of it. How about you? 

Tonight I have a CAS card to share with  you
take a look please:
Stamps from "Down on the Farm" - Kraftin' Kimmie

Isn't she just the cutest little gal? 
I kept this one really CAS - no embellishments,
no patterned papers, lots of white space & limited layering.
It will be easy to mail and is sure to bring a smile 
to the face of the recipient.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie Saturday Challenge #255 - CAS
Papertake Weekly - 2 or 4 Legs 
The Pink Elephant - TPE276 - CAS Technique
The Outlawz - Sunday CAS - Thanks 
Inky Impressions Challenge #185 (IIC185) - Animals

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Merry Christmas Wishes (Stella Says Sketch #218)

Hello sweet friends and followers!
The last two days here have suddenly become winter around here.
Yep...just that fast! As if Mother Nature snapped her fingers
and said "Let it be Cold, Very Cold". 

After such a wonderful September and October
I just wasn't ready for such a cold snap.
But... with the cold wintry weather comes 
the Christmas season.  Just look around in
all the stores. It's as if Thanksgiving has already come
and gone and it should be Christmas already.
What's up with that?
Oh well...the cold weather has put me in a Christmas 
card making mood so I finished this little number 
tonight and wanted to share it with you.


I am entering this card in the following challenges:
http://api.ning.com/files/t08dki1KeXyKux639lxYRRlm5-52EVPI6DsuWOjkHXYPpKmdPREhmHGUR9-RuG1bhIYbg6huNXdZw8E4jcHR7e3gI*HyZaiW/SSS218.png

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #121 "Anything Goes"
Papertake Weekly - 2 or 4 Legs

Thanks so much for stopping in to visit me today!
I'm going to go hop in my warm and cozy bed 
and read for a bit.

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Saturday, November 8, 2014

MTTC #266 - Farm Animals

Hello again dear followers!
Time for another weekly challenge at 
Such gorgeous and "charming" entries we had last time
hopefully this week we'll see just as many amazing entries!

MTTC#266 is "Farm Animals"
Here's my card for this week:
Stamps by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps "Down on the Farm"

A friend of mine and her boys recently raised a couple
of pigs for 4H and the fair.  One of the swine took
top honors.  Not bad for their first time out. 

I think pigs are so cute - but I don't think I could raise one.
Much cuter on paper (and nicer smelling) if you ask me - lol.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie - Wonderful Wednesday "Anything Goes"
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
STAMPlorations - November Challenge - Stamps & Layers
The Outlawz Twisted Thursdays - Anything Goes w/twist of add a button. 
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #231 - Anything Goes

Please go visit the MTTC challenge blog and see
the wonderful creations that my talented DT buddies have made
to inspire you to play along with us this week.
We'd love to see your gorgeous creation in our gallery.

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Friday, November 7, 2014

52CCT - November Color Challenge

Hello dear friends and followers.
The clock is ticking down to Christmas...
are you making cards to send out?

With the help of my DT duties on
I have a good stash ready to go already :o)

This second week of November 2014
the challenge at 52CCT is a Color Challenge
take a look:

The colors are Red and Green (very traditional) 
and your choice of either Gold OR Silver. 
You can use cream or white in addition to the colors
and black for outlines of images - but other than that
please stick to the colors noted. 

I had kind of a crazy week that didn't allow for much
crafting so I kept to a CAS style card - here it is:

I found a stamp set in my basket that I had never used
with this tree on it and the thought for my card 
popped right into my head.  I added some left over
gold enamel dots (love these things) to the tree 
and a strip of embossed card stock to represent snow.
Quick and easy this week :o)

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Christmas Cards All Year Round - No Patterned Paper
Addicted to Stamps and More! - Photo Inspiration

Please go visit my lovely DT pals over at 52CCT to see their
lovely creations for this Color Challenge. 
I hope to see your card in the gallery too!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D


Happy Birthday Karen B

Hello sweet friends and followers.
Two of my favorite people have November birthdays -
my son who just turned 21 and one of my "besties" Karen B.
I don't think she would want me to tell you her age 
so I'll just say the first # is a 4 and you can guess the rest - hehehe.
She's still a youngster as I have a few years on her :o)

I made this card for  Karen - take a look:

Karen loves chocolate and her
favorite colors are royal blue and deep purples.

Happy birthday dear Karen....
Happy Birthday to you!!!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Challenge #18 - Sketch and/or Colors
I chose the sketch but modified the oval to a square

Seize the Birthday - No optional topping for me
Sister Act Card Challenge #82 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D